DENVER -- A federal bankruptcy judge on Monday approved a deal under which bankrupt Frontier Airlines will sell itself to Republic Airways Holdings if no other better bids emerge, paving the way for the airline's exit from bankruptcy within months.

Under terms of the deal, Republic Airways will pay $108.8 million for 100 percent of Denver's Frontier Airlines.

But what will Frontier look like after all the dust settles?

An aviation source said if the buy goes through, Colorado is losing its downhome, friendly, hometown airline. What that means is when and if Republic takes over as the new owner, many of the redundant jobs could be consolidated and many of those jobs lost will likely be here in Denver.

None of the sources could say how many people might be losing their jobs but it would be mainly in the corporate and executive offices. And those jobs that are not eliminated would most likely be moving to Indianapolis, leaving Denver with just a small presence based at Denver International Airport, according to airline sources.

One source also said the Frontier brand will be gone based on what Republic has done in the past with smaller, regional airlines. In other words, amenities such as comfortable planes, TVs in the seats, and possibly some routes will be gone.

The sources say no one knows exactly what will happen in the future but they are confident that changes are coming.

However, a spokesman for Frontier Airlines said that Frontier and Lynx Aviation would maintain their current names and continue to operate as usual.

"It is too early in the process for any sources to be speculating about what may happen. There is still a public auction process to complete. But should the agreement go through, Republic has told us it believes in Frontier and Lynx, and the Frontier and Lynx brand our customers have become so loyal to would continue on. Any speculation beyond that at this point is inaccurate," said Frontier spokesman Steve Snyder.

The next step in the process is to wait 30 days, to see if Frontier receives a better offer than the one Republic has on the table from some other company.

Any competing bidders would have to make an initial proposal by Aug. 3, with final proposals due Aug. 10. If other bidders come forward, an auction will take place in bankruptcy court on Aug. 11. Frontier has already sought other investors during the process that resulted in the Republic bid.

Until then Frontier will operate normally and all tickets will be honored as normal.

Frontier has been under intense pressure in Denver from Southwest Airlines Co. and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, although it has shown an operating profit through May.

Republic has also announced plans to buy Midwest Airlines for $31 million in cash and debt.

Republic shares rose 12 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $5.33 in afternoon trading. Frontier's bankruptcy plan calls for its old shares to be canceled.